Gulangyu Island, Fujian province

Gulangyu Island, Xiamen

(厦门市鼓浪屿风景名胜区 xià mén shì gǔ làng yǔ fēng jǐng míng shèng qū)

Gulangyu (Kulangsu) is a tropical island southwest of Xiamen, Fujian province. From Xiamen to Gulangyu, visitors only need to take a five-minute ferry across the 500-meter-wide Lujiang Strait.

Gulangyu in Chinese means drum-sounding waves, as it was said that a rock in the southwest of the island would make a drum sound when the surging waves crashed against it.

The island covers 1.87 square kilometers with a permanent population of 16,000. Cars and bicycles are not allowed on the island. In addition to its warm climate and beautiful scenery, Gulangyu boasts the reputation of “a garden in the sea.”

On July 8, 2017, the island was designated a World Culture Heritage Site by UNESCO. Currently, it receives over four million visitors per year.

Gulangyu’s scenic spots include the Sunlight Rock, the Bright Moon Garden, the Shuzhuang Garden, the Piano Museum and the Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) Memorial Hall.

The island is also famous for being home to structures of different styles. After the first Opium War, 13 countries including the United Kingdom and the United States established consulates on the island. Missionaries and wealthy businessmen from different countries also built churches, banks, apartments, schools and hospitals on Gulangyu. Through so many years, these buildings are still well preserved.

In addition, the island was praised as “the Island of Music” by the Chinese Musicians' Association in 2002, as it has the highest per capita rate of piano ownership in China and more than 100 music families.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: spring and autumn

Opening Hours: all day

Ticket Price: free

Address: Siming district, Xiamen, Fujian province

Ferry Information

Operation hours:

Oct 1 to May 31: 7:10-17:30; 17:50-23:45 (night operation)

June 1 to Sept 30: 7:10-18:30; 18:50-23:45 (night operation)

During night operation, visitors should takethe ferry at the No 2 Hall.

The ferry operates in 20-minute intervals.

Ticket price for a round-trip ferry: 35 yuan (50 yuan for a luxury ferry)

Free for children under 1.2 meters.

50 percent off ticket prices for children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters.

Address: No 2 Donggang Road, International Cruise Center Plaza, Xiamen, Fujian province

Note: A valid certificate is necessary to buy a ferry ticket.